The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-09
MINISTER AIAGEE.
A Swedish Guide Claims that Rufus Has
Supplantsd Him in His Business.

A Swedish Guide Claims that, Rufus Has
Supplanted Him in His Business
New York World
Mr.. Rudolph Thelander, of Stockholm, Swe-
den, has q grievance of most profound char
acter which he lays before the American people
through the medium of the World. Mr.. The
lander is. by profession, an English guide. At
least he thus describes himself on card which
locates him at the Grand Hotel. Stockholm.
Mr.. Thelander's grievance is that his vocation
is seriously intsrfered with by Rufus Magee
the resident minister of the United States,
dwelling the Swedish court at Stockholm.
and accredited likewise TO the court of Norway,
salary $500 per annum.
1t is held that Mr. Maeee, who halls from In
diana and who is contemptuously referred to by
Mr.. Theander as ga Hoosier." makes a practice
of acting the guide. philosopher and friend of
all Americans who happen visit Stockholm
for recreation or in search of consolation or the
picturesque He escorts them to points of pub
lie interest places his equipages at their dispos-
al and makes himself practically indispeEsa BILE.
This cuts off the professional guide. Thelander,
from a revenue which he regards as justly his
own. and he appeals to the World to know if it
is not beneath the dignity of United States
minister to play the role Of guide.
We think not, at least not in this case. Our
diplomatic relations with Sweden and Norway
not of such character as to engross the
time of a minister resident We do not see how
a live minister with abundant leisure could be
better employed than IN making himself agree
able to such citizens of the United States as
chance to stroll into his bailiwick. The COM
mon complaint is that resident ministers draw
ing salaries from the great American Republic
are inclined to hedge themselves with a dignity
that is not exactly justified They are usually
unapproachable and sometimes actually rude.
We glad to know that Magee, of Indiana, Is
making himself useful
But we are not prepared to believe that our
resident minister at Stockholm is engaged in
this sort of business. A consul with q CONNER
cial turn of mind might pick I'D an honest penny
by directing his countrymen to establishments
prepared TO give bargains. but it to us that
a diplomatic though reared and trained in IL
diana, would be above that sort of thing. We
disposed to make allowance for the chagrin
that professional guide must feel when he
sees the American minister resident philander
ing with parties of tourists and introducing his
wealthy countrymen tc picture galleries. art de-
positories and shops where beautiful things are
vended.
But Mr. Thelander. the guide, makes a more
serious charge against Minister Magee He
claims that after ingratiating himself with visit
ing Americans the minister introduces them to
furriers, jewelers. and dealers in art and bric-a
brac, with whom he has understanding and
upon all purchases made by his countrymen
introduced he receives commission, which is,
of course, charged up to the purchaser. As this
privilege is which belongs naturally to
guides, Interpreters and couriers. it Is but rea-
sonabe that the English guide whose habitat is
the Grand Hotel, Stockholm, should be
iucensed.
At the same time we feel it our duty to lay
this matter before the State Department 1t
gees attention the fact that he is expected to
confine his extra diplomatic duties to the mere
escorting of transitory Americans to places of
interest in and around Stockholm. dinners,
drives. ETC., and that the waxing of tips per-
cottages sales will not be tolerated.